Radiant heated building structure and tile unit therefor



Jan. 2, 1951 W. R. BOVARD RADIANT HEATED BUILDING STRUCTURE AND TILE UNIT THEREFOR Filed April 15, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet l N i? 55 N :inventor Gttornegs Jan. 2, 1951 w. R. BOVARD RADIANT HEATED BUILDING STRUCTURE AND TLE UNIT THEREFOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April l5, '1948 Gttotnegv s Patented Jan. 2, 1951 Um're PATENT OFFICE f 2,556,258 EADIAN'E .EATED .BUILDING a BUCTUBE TE'INIT WEBER?? Williepilt- .Betere Kette? City M0- Appiieeticn Axirili, 1948. .eiel .N9- 21,227.5

. metheeeplctlier,.:epiectspi theppeaentiniaentien. .-I hayefprpyidedimpi ed detailspf stnucturfe,..the preferred ormsiwhieh are illustrated :in thelaccompanying drawings, wherein:

i .f is `e, perspective iview of l.aibuldng vnon.- struetiori, poj-'tios vr:bei-ng ibroken .away ...illustrate the ,rr-angemeu-tzf -tib1es, -fjoists 'and Vpiping therein- .Fie- 2 .is e trerieyerse .Secticiiel .view .through epeilsimjg floor.'

Sie e .trersteree Secticiiel view threiieh etti-1eme. .fleer Shcwiiie. .inleteiletieiici .e .lercil'd meente s eigims. (c1. y 2gsm-e159) .Fig- .5 is ...a perspective VView veef the ,er-@upd tile Section.

' fjig. 6 is a ,longitudinal sectional View through a igr s tiu'eture't'izaikferi on 41*,1'1e line 6,-5, Fig. 3.

Fig; 7 .is a transverse sectionai ,View through ga. roofutiliziiig'thetle Section eh'ov'vn in Fig. 5.

i designates building etructiire .ccpsisting pilllaly .0f .Sillitliley-` tile limits 2 fand had blocks 3 ariatfged with suitable supporting A struetulfe, ,for 4example Vsteel beams 4 and qncpet joists 5 tc .ferm ,e .ricer ,Structure .ceri-mining radiant .heat piping .6. .Seid .1.lc9r .Structure being covered by'a suitable topping 1. l`

The .builtiing LStructure ehe-Wil in .Fies- .l ...elle 2 is perticiilerly adapted for .the .flccriiie .ci ripper Sterieeei .e btliltillig'end particularly Where ceri.- elidereleie fetfrepetliie '.desiretlfthe .Steel iremirie, Spacing Lei the tile imite .eii'iiepth .ci Jciets'befiilg reirilebleto provide edeelilrite .Strength @1.151 .Stiffnees tc meet the requirements .ci Speciel'cerislitiene! ilie tile ,units 2 iriclpee bese Secticrie epd cette? .eectiprie .9. Tiie'beeeeeetieii may' .be ertrpileder .molded .es desired, preferably termed cf Sii'. -tie .tiere-burned .cley .tile ansi .includes Sutgbw spaied (sile Wfalls Vlil and Il, the .outer s iirfeces ...ci Whichere vprcvidecl .with .greci/eis "l2 edeptedte provide intereneeeerrient cf Seid .Side Wells with co'r'ir'evte or the like ued .as a' llii'ig ih 1e`n`gt1`wit 7the side Wang is a boptomwu L3 .Whieil ipcliiriee .iiisiiried pcrticne i4 epfl .l5

d with the eidewelleli ,epd H .resi-ice.- tivgely edieceilt the leweredges .therecf endelcping upweriilyeriel inwardly., .Seid .inclined ,pclitiene beixieceiiriected ett'heir upper .ends by .e herizcrlitlellpprtisiri '1.5. .I rijthe ferm illustrate@ th.. '..hcrizciitel Dertien iS Substantially .cile-.heli thev'vieitp ef ...the .ease sweep;

Spaeed upwardly )from the bottom `Weill s en interrrieeiete Well il petitie ...portions .arranged suhiteiitielly .perellele'rid egiielly spaced iicmtlie bcttcrii Well epliirelityef .verticel' partitions .L8 beine .errerle'eeibetween .the'bcttcmwell .eine the intermediate Well teicrm epliirelitycf .peeseees le eirteridipethrciieli .the leiieth ci tliebeeejeectiii! fiiieerrerieeirierit cithe Welleprcvides e ce"11"1.11au Lbottom 'to the tile t' retelrdhezat flow therethr'oug'h; VConnected to the intermediatedwall at the point of 'firiteps'e'etlio of thefhorzohta'l and s1oping portitles therecf ereciitweizdlyellcpirig "wellen the upper ,pprtieiiepi which ecilnect .with the .leide welle .l tend ,li .es .et .1.2. I .et e peint. specedpelcw th. .Pieter plee 3.2v ef eiesisie wells.. The .sipping 3 portions of the intermediate wall, the sloping wall 25 and the side walls cooperate to form passages 23 designed to retard flow of heat toward the side of the base section. The horizontal portion of the intermediate walls I1 and the sloping walls 2 cooperate to form a trough 24 of sufficient depth to contain radiant heat piping 6 as later described. The upper surfaces 25, 2E and 2'! of the trough-forming walls preferably are glazed or coated to form a reflecting surface adapted to reect heat upwardly through a cover p section 9 as later described. V

The cover section is preferably formed of hardburned clay tile adapted to absorb and radiate heat rapidly and consists of a horizontal wall 28 coextensive with the length of the base section and of suitable width to be received between the upper portions of the side walls le and 15 the side edges 28 and Si] of said cover section closely engaging the side walls Hland Il. Projecting downwardly from the wall 28, 'adjacent the side edges 29 and 36, are ribs 3| and 32 having flat lower faces V33 adapted to seat on flattened portions 34 in the base tile adjacent the point of connectionof the sloping walls 24 and the side walls l and ll, the faces 34 being spaced below the upper edges 22 of the side walls I0 and H theV same distance as the vertical height of the cover tile from the surface 33 to the upper surface' thereof Iwhereby the upper surface 35 of saidY cover tile lies flush with the side edges 22, said upper surface 35 being scored as at 38 to aid informing a bond with cement orthe like as later described.

In order to reinforce the cover section and particularly to provide support for the span thereof between the side walls of the base section, legs 3l and 38 project downwardly from the wall 28 of said' cover section, said legs diverging downwardly whereby the lower edges 39 thereof engage the upper face 25 of the horizontal portion of the intermediate wall I1 adjacent thev arranged in the ytrough 24 preferably between the legs 37 and 38 and yet permit adequate strength in the legs to support the center portion of the cover section. l

'For first or ground fioor structures, the base section 4| is preferably formed as illustrated in Figs; 3 and 5, wherein the side walls 42 and 43 are integral .withrand extend upwardly from side edges of a bottom wall 44, said bottom wall preferably being in a plane perpendicular to the side walls. is an intermediate wall 45 connected with the bottom wall by means of a plurality of vertical ribs 45. YThe intermediate wall 45 is Shorter in width than the bottom and terminates in'up wardly and outwardly directed Walls 41 and 48, the upper ends of which connect with the side walls as at 49 below the upper edges 50 thereof, said sloping walls 4'land 48 being attened as at I adjacent the point of vconnection with said side walls to form a seat adapted to receive the ribs 3| and 32 of the cover section 9.

The spaced relation of the intermediate wall 45 and` slopingwalls 41 and 48 from the bottom wall 45 and side walls 42 and 43, together with the vertical ribs 46, provides through passages 53 7forming a cellular structure adapted to resist Spaced upwardly from the bottom wall 44 wall 45 and sloping walls 41 and 48 cooperate to form a trough 54, the upper surfaces 55, 56 and 57 thereof being glazed or coated with suitable material to provide a reflecting surface for directing heat upwardly in the same manner as the base tile 8. Also the ground tile 4I is adapted to receive the cover section with the legs 31 and 38 arranged in theY trough 54 in the same manner as described relative to the base section 8.

In utilizing the tile units in constructing a Abuilding and installing radiant heating therein,

the respective sections are selected and grouped in such a manner that desired strength in the building structure may be obtained. Where the vbuildingis large requiring steel framing, suit- 58 on opposite sides of a floor panel, said header` blocks preferably having openings 62 in the side walls adapted to align with the trough 24 ofthe base sections 8 which are arranged in spaced rows as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the ends of the base section at the ends of each row engaging the sides of the header tile 6 I and the other base sections in said row having their ends in abutting engagement. The spacing between the rowsl of spaced sections may be Varranged as desired; ,for example to provide a plain, grouted concrete joint, or for reinforced concrete joists andffor joists including steel framing, filler tile and reprooiing tile such as is provided in conventional building structures.

After the base sections are arranged as desired in suitable spacedrows, the grouted joints and concretejoists can be poured from light runboards or platforms the concrete entering fthe grooves l2 in the sides of the base sections pro` After the viding a secure Abond therebetween. cement is set, any type of radiant heat piping can be installed in the troughs of the header and base tilesand tested before the cover units and floor topping are installed. The radiant heat piping is placed in the troughs, on suitable chairs, for example laid cradles .or otherwise supported on the glazedsurface 25 of the intermediate walls Il, the ends of the respective lines of heat piping being connected to the header pipes 63, arranged in the header tile 6I, one of said header pipes being connected to a suitable source of heating iiuid and the other header Ypipe connected to a. suitable return to provide for circulation under pressure if desired of such heating mediumthrough the radiant heat piping. The piping isl free to expand'andcontract and may. be ar-v Y ranged in groups, valved and otherwise installedto maintain zone control.

the heat piping .maybey covered with insulating; material or otherwise Atreatldto reduce the heat delivered by that portion of the pipe and increase- Selected ,portions of theA relative amountof heat from the exposed portions of the pipe. Also sections of finned type. pipe may be utilized to increase the amount ofv radiated heat where required. After the :piping:

is installed Vand tested the4 cover sections .9. are

I n 'd u K n y placed inthebase sectionswith the ribs `3'l.fand the iiow of heat therethrough.- A The interiredialte 7B' 32 seated on the surfaces 34 with' the legs S'Fand Suitable supports 5,8 4extending vinto the 'trough 24-and resting on the intermediate wall -II of the 'base section. A

suitable iloor topping `of concrete or the 'like then may be run over the -top -faces of `said -cover sections, vjoists and joints between 'the tile, this floor topping Aentering -the scored -spaces 35 of the-cover section "to facilitate the bonding therewith.

' Heating fluid -may be applied to one of the header pipes, circulated th-rough -the radiant heat piping 'f5 and -returned =to the -heating system through the other header pipe at the opposite end of uthe -floor panel. The heat is -radiated from the piping -into Ithe trough 24, the cellular bottom and sides -of A'the base section retardi-ng heat now 'therethrough *thereby cooperating with the -glazedor reflecting surfaces 25, 2S and 2J to direct the 'heat upwardly through the unglazed and noncellular cover vsections which -will `absorb and `radiate heat rapidly and afford quicker radiant `heating results.

In structures -not requiring steel framing, Vthe base section 447| illustrated in Figs. 3 and 5 may housed. 'In such structures the-base section may be lplaced on -the ground or other suitable support in aligned, spaced rows with header tile larranged at -the ends of said rows and suitable concrete Ypoured tonprovide grouted joints or joists as desired. After the concrete has set, suitable radiant heat piping -is installed and tested, then the cover -units are-placed on the base tiles and suitable oor :topping -applied to .the upper surface thereof. The vend `joints of the base tile can be lcaulked yor filled -with tested, waterproofed caulking compound if necessary. With this -arrangement the `cellular bottom and sides resist the flow of heat therethrough and the reflecting surfaces i55, 56 and 51 direct the lheat upwardly through the cover section. This system assures asafe, economical'construction anda continuous saving through the quick -radiation and conservaltion 'of heat units. 'It also assures a dry oor under all conditions.

The ibase section 4l may also be used for commercial roof constructionas illustrated in Fig. 7. In such structures said base section is inverted and suitably supported while concrete is poured between `the rows-thereof to form suitable joints.

-Obviously :the tile may be used in the roof construction with Vor without the concrete lslabs and/or additional insulation to provide an insulated gas and fumeproof construction wherein the reilecting surfaces 55, 55 and 51 provide both light and heat reflection values. Obviously the tile nsections can be used for exterior walls as a stucco base with an inner wall Aof metal lath or plaster, gypsum blocks or standard hollow tile forming a rigid 'two or 'three cell wall structure of adequate strength and stiifness for any residential .orcurtain wall construction.

It is :believed .obvious .that I fhave provided .a radiant heating building structure and tile unit therefor adapted to conform to standard modular grid layouts, capable of utilization of various parts of a building and designed to provide an efcient radiant heating system wherein the heat is directed through the floor into the room to be heated and is not dissipated into the structure below the floor.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a radiant heating and circulatory system comprising a plurality of rows of aligned tiles each row forming a unit, said tiles being provided with aligned internal passages in continuous and uninterrupted communication with one another longitudinally of the respective vunits to provide separate internal conduits vthrough .said units, glazed surfaces in thepassageson the bottom .and sides thereof, said Ipassages being .disposed immediately beneath the upper surface Vof the tiles for the reflection of heat ,thereto lfor radiation .to the space thereabove, ma plurality of aligned header tiles `arranged ina row at the end of and transversely of said respective units, said aligned header tiles Vbeing provided with aligned internal passages yin continuous vvand uninterrupted com.- munication with Vone another and having com,- munication with the internal passages .of `the respective uni-ts, header piping arranged vin Ythe passages of the header tile and adapted to :supply heated huid, Aand radiant heating piping :arranged in the internal vpassages of the'respective units, said radiant heating .piping 'having com -munica-tion -at .its end with @the header `piping for flow vof heating viuid through the radiant Aheating ipiping whereby the heat .of the ffluid is radiated from the radiant heated piping into the internal passages for reiiection toward'the upper sur-face for radiation of heat to the space thereabove.

2. In a radiant heating and-circulatory system comprising la plurality of rows of `*aligned tiles each row form-ing a unit, said tiles being provided with aligned internal passages vi-n continuous 4and uninte-rrupted communication vwi-th one another longitudinally of the respective units to provide -separate internal lconduits through said lunits, heat :reflecting `.surfaces in the ypassages on the `bottom and sides thereof, said passages being disposed .immediately beneath the Aupper surface ofthe tiles vfor the reflection of heat thereto `for radiation to the space thereabove, -a plurality of aligned header tiles arranged in a row at each end of and transversely of said respective units, said aligned header -.tiles being provided with aligned internal passages in continuous and uninterrupted communication with one Ianother and having communication with the internal passages of the respective units, header piping arranged in the .passages of the header tile, the pipe in one row of header tile being adapted to sup,- ply heated fluid fand the header piping in the other Vr-ow of vtile -being adapted to return the heated fluid -to the source of supply, and radiant heating pipi-ng arranged in the internal passages of the respective units, `said radiant heating -piping having communication at its lends with-the respective header piping -for flow of heating fluid through the radiant heating piping whereby the heat of the fluid is radiated from the radiant Yheated piping into the internal passages for re- `ilection toward the upper surface for radiation of heat to the space thereabove.

3. In a radiant heating and circulatory ysystem comprising a plurality ,of -ro-ws vof aligned tiles having cellular side and bottom walls, each row forming a unit, said tiles having upper surfaces disposed in coplanar relation in said units and being provided with aligned internal passages in continuous and uninterrupted communication with one another longitudinally of the respective units to provide separate internal conduits through said units which are out of communication with one another between the ends of said respective units, glazed surfaces in the passages on the bottom and sides thereof, said passages being disposed immediately beneath the upper surface of the tiles for the reflection of heat thereto for radiation to the space thereabove, a plurality of aligned header tiles ar ranged in a row at 'each end of andtransversely of said respective units, said aligned header tiles being provided withY aligned internal passages in continuous and uninterrupted communication .with one another and having communicationwith the internal passages of the respective units, header piping arranged in the passages of the header tile, the pipek in one row of header tile being adapted to supply heated fluid and the header piping in the other row of tile being adapted to return theheated iiuid to the source of supply, and radiant heating pipingarranged in the internal passages of the respective units, said radiant heating piping having communication at its ends with the respective header piping for flow ofheating fluid through the radiant heating piping whereby the heat of the fluid is radiated from the radiant heated piping into the internal passages for reection toward the upper surface for radiation of heat to the space thereabove.

4. In a radiant heated building structure cornprising a plurality of rows of aligned open top tile formed of cellular side and bottom Walls, each row forming a unit, the tile walls forming aligned troughs in continuous and uninterrupted comheader trough at the end of the respective units` and in communication with the aligned troughs thereof, concrete in the spacing between the rows of aligned tile to form the joints therebetween and provide a floor supporting structure, a header pipe arranged in the trough of the row of header tile, said pipe serving as a supply for heating fluid, radiant heat piping arranged in the troughs formed by the respective rows of aligned tiles, said piping'having communication with the header'l pipe for iiow of heating fluid therethrough, cover plates arranged on the side Walls of the respective tile and header tile, said cover plates having upper load supporting surfaces disposed in coplanar relation in said units and with the concrete between the tile, and a floor covering on the cover plates and concrete to provide a iioor surface, the heat from the radiant heatpiping being reected upwardly in the troughs for radiation into the cover tile and floor topping to heat the space thereabove.

5, In a radiant heated building structure com- Y lprising a plurality of rows of aligned open top tile formed of cellular side and bottom walls each row forming a unit, the upper edges of said tile side walls being disposed in coplanar relation and the tile walls forming aligned troughs in continuous and uninterrupted communication with one another longitudinally of the respec- 8 tive units to provideseparate troughs through said units which are out of, communication with one another between the ends of the respective units, glazed surfaces in the troughs on the bottom and sides thereof, rows of open top header tile arranged transversely of the respective units to provide continuous header troughs at each end of the respective units-and in communication with the aligned troughs thereof, concrete in the spacing between the rows of aligned tile to form the joints therebetween and provide a floor supporting structure, header pipes arranged in the troughs of the header tile, one of said pipes serving as a supply for v heating fluid and the other for the return of same, radiant heat piping arranged in the troughs formed by the respective rows of aligned tiles, said piping having com- ,t

munication at their ends with the respective header pipe for flow of heating fluid therethrough, cover plates arranged on the side walls of the respective tile and header tile, said cover plates having upper load supporting surfaces disposed in coplanar relation in said units and .with the concrete between the tile, and a floor covering on the cover plates and concrete to provideV a floor surface, the heat from the radiant heating piping being refiected upwardly in the troughs for radiation-into the cover tile and oor topping to heat the space thereabove.

6. in a radiant heating and circulatory system comprising, a plurality of rows of aligned tiles each row forming a unit, said tiles being provided with aligned internal passages and continuous and uninterrupted communication with one another longitudinally of the respective units to provide separate internal conduits through said units, glazed surfaces in the passages on the bottom and sides thereof, said passages being disposed immediately beneath the upper surface i of the tiles for the reflection of heat thereto for REFERENCES CITED The following referencesfare of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,090,285 Christie et al Aug. 17, 1937 2,422,685

Keck June 24, 1947 

